Thursday, 12 February 2009

• Dissecting the Popularity of Alf the Alien

  

  The other day I was helping my mom clean out our attic and I stumbled upon an old toy (pictured here). This stuffed toy's name is "Alf." Yes, the talking pet from outer space. It got me  wondering about 1. Who the heck would ever give a little girl an ALF doll for her fifth birthday, and 2. How good we had it back in the day, even with such ridiculous shows.

  What was it about ALF that hooked viewers week after week (for four seasons plus a movie)?

  a. That he was an alien?

  b. That he was a sarcastic alien?

  c. That he ate cats?

  d. That he had the biggest rippled "provocative" snout/schnoz ever?

  e. That he magically spoke perfect English?

  f. That he was great with children and kind to the blind?

  g. That he had eight stomachs?

  h. That he did a pretty cute Risky Business impersonation? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjo_GoJ03ps)

  i. That his "species" was unidentifiable? (Is he part bat and part gorilla?)

  j. That his name is actually "Gordon Shumway"?

  WHAT WAS IT ABOUT ALF THAT PEOPLE LOVED SO MUCH?

  Have you ever seen an episode of Alf? Which celebrity/what animal is he a mix of? Do you find him appealing or creepy? Why do you think the show lasted as long as it did? What is up with Alf's nose? And if a furry alien crashed into your garage would you keep him?

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